Establishing Likelihood Ratios for Patterned Garment Comparisons from Seam Measurement Data,

It is often challenging to ascribe an objective measure of confidence for identifications based on surveillance imagery from a crime scene. The present work seeks to address this deficiency in the case of garment comparison evidence by developing a quantitative method for establishing a conservative lower bound on the likelihood ratio (LR) for identifications involving patterned garments. The method is based on statistical analysis of pattern offset measurements taken from a sample of garments of the same type (manufacturer, style, and size) as the seized evidence. The developed analysis framework was demonstrated on different types of garments over a range of modeled surveillance imaging scenarios with variable image quality; the lower bounds on the LRs ranged from approximately 10–1 to over 400–1. The statistical model was tested and validated through a large‐scale empirical study involving both simulated and human observer‐performed garment comparisons.     

Early Danish census taking

Census taking in its modern form started in Denmark in 1769, and the next two censuses were taken in 1787 and 1801. Problems that arose during the implementation and tabulation of the first census demonstrate the difficulties in establishing an efficient administration of population statistics from scratch. By trial and error during the course of the first three censuses, the administration learned how to carry out and tabulate a census so that by 1801 census taking had reached a form that could be used for the rest of the 19th century with only minor changes and additions.     

The Antwerp COR*-database: A unique Flemish source for historical-demographic research

This note describes the origin, the history, structure and characteristics of a recently constructed Flemish (the Northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) historical-demographic database. The so-called Antwerp COR*-database offers a unique combination of features: it spans nearly seven decades (1846 to 1920) and consists of information drawn from the population registers and the vital registration records (birth, marriage, and death) of the whole district of Antwerp. Every person whose family name starts with the letter combination COR* is selected in the database. The database covers three linked generations and contains micro-data on the individual level (life courses), intermediary data on family patterns, and macro-data on ecological characteristics.     

A new 15 autosomal STRs multiplex for domestic horse genotyping

Horse genotyping has a wide range of applications such as identification, pedigree verification, parentage test, forensic investigation, population genetics, analysis of diversity, legitimate registration, among others. Following the recommendations of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) regarding the use of non-human (animal) DNA in forensic genetic investigations we have developed a multiplex PCR system of 15 autosomal tetra-nucleotide STRs loci to Equus caballus. The system includes the newly described ECAC2, ECAC4, ECAC5, ECAC9, ECAC10, ECAC12, ECAC14, ECAC15, ECAC18, ECAC21, ECAC23, ECAC26, ECAC28, ECAC29 and ECAC30 loci (on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 29 and 30, respectively). The polymorphism is in average 8 alleles per marker with a maximum of eleven and a minimum of five for the population studied. All markers were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, except ECAC5 (p = 0.0007). The probabilities of paternity (W), exclusion (PE) and cumulative discrimination (PD) for all loci were greater than 0.9999. This work will contribute to the implementation of standardized horse genotyping systems in the forensic community and the horse industry.     

体态与足迹足长、足宽的关系研究

足是人身体的一部分。每个人的头、躯干、四肢都是按一定比例生长的,所以,人的体态与足之间会存在一定的关系,根据这个关系我们可以实验总结出利用足迹分析体态的诸多方法。通过在本单位收集大量平面足迹样本,对足迹样本的足长、足宽和捺印人的体重进行测量、记录,运用excel软件建立足迹数据和体态的一元线性回归关系,针对方程的回归显著性进行相应的F检验,为本单位和友邻单位利用现场足迹分析体态提供可靠依据。     

Computation of likelihood ratios in fingerprint identification for configurations of any number of minutiae

Recent court challenges have highlighted the need for statistical research on fingerprint identification. This paper proposes a model for computing likelihood ratios (LRs) to assess the evidential value of comparisons with any number of minutiae. The model considers minutiae type, direction and relative spatial relationships. It expands on previous work on three minutiae by adopting a spatial modeling using radial triangulation and a probabilistic distortion model for assessing the numerator of the LR. The model has been tested on a sample of 686 ulnar loops and 204 arches. Features vectors used for statistical analysis have been obtained following a preprocessing step based on Gabor filtering and image processing to extract minutiae data. The metric used to assess similarity between two feature vectors is based on an Euclidean distance measure. Tippett plots and rates of misleading evidence have been used as performance indicators of the model. The model has shown encouraging behavior with low rates of misleading evidence and a LR power of the model increasing significantly with the number of minutiae. The LRs that it provides are highly indicative of identity of source on a significant proportion of cases, even when considering configurations with few minutiae. In contrast with previous research, the model, in addition to minutia type and direction, incorporates spatial relationships of minutiae without introducing probabilistic independence assumptions. The model also accounts for finger distortion.     

Testing for genetic structure in different urban Argentinian populations

Fifteen autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers (D3S1358, HUMTH01, D21S11, D18S51, PENTA E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, PENTA D, HUMvWA, D8S1179, HUMTPOX, FGA) were analyzed in 1734 individuals living in urban areas of cities from six different Argentinian provinces (Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Tucumán, La Pampa, San Luis, Santa Cruz) in order to determine if a common urban database could be used in Argentina for forensic purposes. Frequencies estimates, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), and other parameters of forensic interest were computed. Comparisons between the six populations, and with published data from one Native American population from Argentina and other urban populations from Argentina and Europe were also performed. Our results reveal evidences for population structure, both when testing for genetic differentiation and when comparing frequencies distributions between different pairs of populations. Therefore, caution should be taken when using a common pooled database with general forensic purposes in Argentina.     

Genetic analysis of 15 STR loci on Chinese Tibetan in Qinghai Province

We report allele frequencies and statistical parameters of 15 short tandem repeats (STR) loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) determined in 850 unrelated individuals of Chinese Tibetan, an ethnic group residing in Qinghai Province, China. We observed 155 alleles with allele frequencies ranging from 0.0006 to 0.5682. The distribution of these observed genotypes were not significantly different from the expected distribution according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The forensic parameters from the data showed high values. In conclusion, the 15 STR loci are useful for forensic analysis, paternity tests for Tibetans in the region, and population genetic studies.     

Data for Y-chromosome haplotypes in Fang and Bubi populations from Bioko (Equatorial Guinea)

Haplotype frequencies for 16 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (DYS456, DYS389I, DYS390, DYS389II, DYS458, DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS393, DYS391, DYS439, DYS635, DYS392, Y GATA H4, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS448) loci, included in the AmpFLSTR Yfiler PCR Amplification Kit, were analysed in 110 Fang and 133 Bubi individuals from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. The diversity was higher in Fang population, probably since they were originally from the mainland, with which they maintain tribal village and family links, and to which they travel frequently. Comparisons were made with previously published haplotype data on European and African populations, and significant differences were found between them.     

False-negative probability in the SEM/EDS automated discovery of iGSR particles: A Bayesian approach

The automated search software integrated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) has been the standard tool for detecting inorganic gunshot residues (iGSR) for several decades. The detection of these particles depends on various factors such as collection, preservation, contamination with organic matter, and the method for sample analysis. This article focuses on the influence of equipment resolution setup on the backscattered electron images of the sample. The pixel size of these images plays a crucial role in determining the detectability of iGSR particles, especially those with sizes close to the pixel size. In this study, we calculated the probability of missing all characteristic iGSR particles in a sample using an SEM/EDS automated search and how it depends on the image pixel resolution setup. We developed and validated an iGSR particle detection model that links particle size with equipment registers and applied it to 320 samples analyzed by a forensic science laboratory. Our results show that the probability of missing all characteristic iGSR particles due to their size is below 5% for pixel sizes below 0.32 μm². These findings indicate that pixel sizes as large as twice the one commonly used in laboratory casework, that is, 0.16 μm², are effective for initial sample scanning, yielding good detection rates of characteristic particles that could exponentially reduce laboratory workload.